Pneumatic action for grand planos



March 26, 1929. H TOWER 1,706,757

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR GRAND PIANOS Filed Nov. 50, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet lMarch 26, 1929. TOWER 1,706,757

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR GRAND PIANOS Filed Nov. 30, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2WITNESSES /NVEN TOR Patented Mar. 26, 1929.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERSCHEL E. TOWER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BALDWIN COMPANY,OF CINCINNATI, OI-IIO.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR GRAND PIANOS.

Application filed November 30, 1927. Serial No. 236,770.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanical musical instrumentsof the grand piano ty e, the keys of which are actuated from un erneathand thru the keybed by an auxiliary action actuated by any well knowntype of player action.

The object of my invention is to promote accessibility, easy unitarymethods of installation, quick, accurate and positive regulation ofvarious working parts and the transmis sion of power from the playeraction as directly and freely as possible, to the piano action,particular attention being given to the novel working assembly of thecomponent units resulting in unusual accessibilty of all workingregulations.

The drawings show a working application of my invention as applied to agrand piano and gives a clear conception of the relative positions ofthe player action unit, the auxiliary action and the piano key andaction.

Fig. 1 is a cross section taken from the side. Fig. 2 is a rear viewwith the pneumatics, chests and parts of the finger omitted.

A grand piano having a keybed 1 has a key 2 that actuates a piano action3 for striking a string 4 to produce a musical sound. Underneath thekeybed 1 is an auxiliary action consisting of a supporting rail 5,flanges 6, levers 7 stickers 8, lugs 9 and regulating means 10. Inworking relation to this auxiliary action is a player action consistingof shelves 11, striking pneumatics 12, fingers 13 and regulating means14. i

In practice, these mechanisms are assembled and installed as units; i.e., the keys and piano action are installed as one unit and then theauxiliary action is installed in proper working relation to the keys 2.The player action is then installed so that the regulating means 14 isin proper relation to the lugs 9 on the stickers 8. The lugs 9 in thedrawing are on separate stickers, (see Fig. 2} being alternated fromnote to note in the scale.

After the player action has been installed the regulating means 14 areadjusted to hold sticker 8 in close contact with the key 2, allowing nolost motion and consequent loss of power at that point. The regulatingmeans 10, working to a stop against the rail 5 are for the purpose oflimiting the movement of the sticker 8, which in turn will stroke orlift to the key 2. It will be seen by this arrangement that thetransmission of power from the striking pneumatic 12 to the. key 2 isvery direct an eificient.

The moving leaf of the pneumatic 12 is made of such weight as to balancethe weight of the finger 13, regulating means 14, sticker 8 andcorrelated parts,insuring that after the regulating means 14 is onceadjusted the sticker 8 will always stay in close contact with the key 2.

Many modifications may be made but what I claim as my invention is:

I 1. In a grand piano having piano keys and piano action, apneumatic'player action and a detachable auxiliary action between thepneumatic player action and the piano keys; regulating means on thepneumatic player action for adjusting the auxiliary action relagive theproper tive to the piano keys and regulating means on the auxiliaryaction for limiting the movement thereof.

2. In a grand piano having piano keys, at keybed and piano action, apneumatic player action and an auxiliary action and means for attachingthe auxiliary action to the surface of the keybed between the pneumaticplayer action and the piano keys; regulating means for adj using theauxiliary action rela tive to the piano keys and regulating means on theauxiliary action for limiting the movement thereof.

TIERSCHEL n. TOWER.

